Greece seeks more time for cuts, reforms

Source: Tanjug

ATHENS -- Greece needs more time to implement tough financial reforms and spending cuts, PM Antonis Samaras has said, adding that Athens is not asking for more money.

Antonis Samaras (Beta)

He told German daily Bild that it would not be good for Greece to leave the eurozone.
“It would result in a disaster for Greece and in an economic collapse,” AP has reported.

“Let me be very clear: we are not asking for extra money,” Samaras was quoted as telling Bild. “We stand by our commitments and the implementation of all requirements. But we must encourage growth, because that reduces the financing gaps.”

“All we want is a little ‘air to breathe’ to get the economy going and increase state income,” Samaras added, without specifying any timeframe.

“More time does not automatically mean more money,” the Greek PM stressed.

Before he came to power, Samaras vowed to request the postponement of the unpopular austerity measures for two years. However, Greece needs to implement the measures in exchange for two international bailout packages that will allow the country to survive.

Some German politicians have talked openly in recent weeks about the possibility of Greece leaving the euro, and the vice chancellor, Economy Minister Philipp Roesler, has said that the idea of a Greek exit has "lost its horror."

Jean-Claude Juncker, head of the Eurogroup, the body representing the finance ministers of the 17 countries that use the euro, travels to Athens Wednesday afternoon for talks with Samaras and his finance minister, Yannis Stournaras. The Greek prime minister then heads to Berlin later this week to meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and on to Paris to see French President Francois Hollande, AP says.